Singer Alicia Keys performs the National Anthem prior to the start of NFL Super Bowl (Reuters)

Alicia Keys sang the national anthem, and Beyonce, joined by members of her former group Destiny's Child, gave a spectacular performance at half-time. Days after admitting to singing to a pre-recorded track at President Barack Obama's inauguration, Beyonce sang a medley of her hits, including Single Ladies, Halo and Bootylicious, live.

The game, between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens, was interrupted early in the third quarter by a power failure at the Super Dome, plunging the stands into darkness. Play resumed after 34 minutes. The final score was Ravens 34, 49ers 31.

While the teams battled on the field during Super Bowl XLVII, advertisers were competing against each other on the industry's biggest stage.

Jacoby Jones (C) of the Baltimore Ravens runs for a touchdown in the third quarter (AFP/Getty Images)

The stakes are high, with 30-second spots costing as much as $4 million (£2.55m) this year. And more than 111 million viewers are expected to tune in.

Among the best were Hyundai's "Epic Playdate" advertisement, which showed a family partying with the band The Flaming Lips: wreaking havoc at a natural history museum, getting chased by bikers, going to a petting zoo and playing in a park.